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Public Service Announcement regarding Host Referral

I have been reading many posts lately by various folks asking for a host referral for a specific casino. Apparently, there are a lot of helpful posters on here who are quick to offer a lending hand with referrals.

I am hoping that many of you consider the following factors when you are about to offer help with a host referral:

*If someone has to ask for a host referral, more likely than not their play would not warrant host attention. At any new property, if you play a decent average size bet, a host WILL find you. If not, a pit boss will call one to come to you.

*While you think you may be helping your host with this referral, you may actually be doing the opposite. You may have referred a non-desirable player to your host. By this I mean the person may end up not playing up to the level of play your host would want, and thus not comping the person what they are asking. Then the person gets upset, and you know the cycle.
The biggest complaint I hear from my hosts are rude or (very) demanding players.

*You have no knowledge of the level of play that the anonymous poster averages, and you are putting your reputation on the line by referring someone to your host that you cannot vouch for in terms of play, integrity or personality.

*It's not very hard for a person to find their own host. They can always call the hotel and ask to speak with a host. If the person has play history at this property or a sister property, they can certainly make the referral.

*How your host treats you does not mean that another player will get the same treatment. Hosting is a very personal type of relationship (I know some here may disagree), so there is no guarantee that the nice treatment you get will be transferred onto someone else, whom you know very little about. Your relationship with your host is based on factors as your play action, how nice and generous you are to the host. If anything else, you risk your host having to deal with one of those "undesireables."

Bottomline, if you are to make a referral, make sure you know the person personally. Otherwise, let their play action be their referral.

Totally agree. I have had very little experience with hosts, but my first one left me with a bad taste in my mouth. A few months after our biggest TR earning trip to Rio in 2008 I received a mailer telling me...you qualify for a host, here is a list of hosts by property. I had never had a host before. I called one of the numbers and was told quite rudely...why did you call? You don't qualify. The past 2 trips to SP I have dealt with a host by email. This trip I did receive one more night than my mailer stated comped...never met her.

Reading various posts on this and other boards I do get the feeling that the bigger spenders assume others get what they get. I see newbies ask a question and answers will include "just contact a host" and tales of full RFB. Most readers on these boards are NEVER going to see full RFB (especially in high end suites). Possibly reading others trip reports and watching too much tv ....has given newbies the wrong idea. Us mid/low rollers who have been enough...know where we stand on the totem pole...

If you play enough a host will find you...before checkout check with the players club desk....only advice I would give anyone.

I agree 100% and just had this very conversation with my host last week. I asked her permission to refer people to her, and she said "fine" but then explained that the player needs to be of a certain level, like my level, because there is nothing she can do for players who aren't going to come, put in the four hours, and have a high theo.

If I sent a friend, she'd likely help that friend out the first time, as my friend, but if the play isn't there at the end, the strings will be cut for future play.

She was pretty clear, unless you know for sure what a players level is, don't waste your clout giving host information out, because some people wind up in the "crying wolf" category because they keep referring stiffs, and that hurts YOU, as the one referring them.

So, unless you know for a fact what a player's level is, STFU and keep your host's name to yourself

I've always found it weird when people post their host's name and contact details publicly on this forum. I know a lot of the hosts are listed on the casino websites anyway but it still feels odd to me to list anyone's real name and details online without their permission. Just internet etiquette in my opinion. Go do it by PM if you really want to.

How embarrassing to have to explain to my host I referred a random from an internet message board that talked a big game and was a real let down. Even more embarrassing if the referred VMBer was causing problems or being rude/aggressive wish my host. I'd feel like a real asshole.

On the other side of the coin, referring hosts a SOLID player could really help you out moving forward. I've done that before and they are very thankful.

Totally agree. I have had very little experience with hosts, but my first one left me with a bad taste in my mouth. A few months after our biggest TR earning trip to Rio in 2008 I received a mailer telling me...you qualify for a host, here is a list of hosts by property. I had never had a host before. I called one of the numbers and was told quite rudely...why did you call? You don't qualify. The past 2 trips to SP I have dealt with a host by email. This trip I did receive one more night than my mailer stated comped...never met her.

Reading various posts on this and other boards I do get the feeling that the bigger spenders assume others get what they get. I see newbies ask a question and answers will include "just contact a host" and tales of full RFB. Most readers on these boards are NEVER going to see full RFB (especially in high end suites). Possibly reading others trip reports and watching too much tv ....has given newbies the wrong idea. Us mid/low rollers who have been enough...know where we stand on the totem pole...

If you play enough a host will find you...before checkout check with the players club desk....only advice I would give anyone.

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That would be the time I would have let whoever answered the phone a big "why the F did your boss send me your number then" and then never set foot in the property again.

How embarrassing to have to explain to my host I referred a random from an internet message board that talked a big game and was a real let down. Even more embarrassing if the referred VMBer was causing problems or being rude/aggressive with my host. I'd feel like a real asshole.

On the other side of the coin, referring hosts a SOLID player could really help you out moving forward. I've done that before and they are very thankful.

All wise OP, and you have to consider who you give your host's name out to.

But on the other side, anyone with a computer can find a list of hosts at a property and their contact information. Sometimes by saying 'I like this host' it's more of a review than a recommendation.

So when I tell you that my host at Monte Carlo answers emails quickly, you can do what you want with that information. I'm not referring you to him -- I'm just telling you that he provides good service. What you are able to work out with him is between him and you.

I actually used to think similarly to this and I still do to some extent. but from what I hear from my hosts, they're always looking for referrals. sure, sometimes the players referred are less than stellar, but sometimes they really help the host out. also just a larger volume of players does help them. the other thing is sometimes you can get a player who starts pretty small, but a few months or years later he starts playing bigger and turns into a great player for the host. anybody in sales knows that referrals can be the difference between struggling and being flush.

now of course I don't refer just anybody to my hosts, but I have referred many players over the years and my hosts are very appreciative of that.

I actually used to think similarly to this and I still do to some extent. but from what I hear from my hosts, they're always looking for referrals. sure, sometimes the players referred are less than stellar, but sometimes they really help the host out. also just a larger volume of players does help them. the other thing is sometimes you can get a player who starts pretty small, but a few months or years later he starts playing bigger and turns into a great player for the host. anybody in sales knows that referrals can be the difference between struggling and being flush.

now of course I don't refer just anybody to my hosts, but I have referred many players over the years and my hosts are very appreciative of that.

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well said shifter !

Its almost like referring a person to your company.... I have been there and done that, I have referred 6 people to my company, and only 1 person isnt there out of those 6 now. Its usually a win-win, but after the last person I referred, I am very cautious on who I refer, because I feel like I have let the firm down, and it reflects poorly on me.

I have given several people on this board the name of my host at Aria (after checking with her that it was okay). She was very clear that they would need to meet the qualifications just like anybody. I also don't give my real name out to someone who asks for a referral.....so, they can have her name, but it is no reflection on me whether that works out or doesn't.

I do find that many people who are looking for a host are overestimating what they think they qualify for. As an example, if you're betting $1000 or $1500 per day (willing to lose that much) at Aria in the slots, you're not going to qualify for RFB in the Sky Suites. Three years ago when Vegas was going through a tough time, you might have...but not now.

If someone has to ask for a host referral, more likely than not their play would not warrant host attention.

^ This.

I've received dozens of cards and requests from hosts to book future trips directly with them over the years. I've been approached in the pit, on the floor, checking out or via mail after a trip. I prefer offers from the mail (past twenty years) or via the internet (players club or emails over the past several years). I request not to be contacted by phone.

You will get offers for airfare, RFB, shows, limos, free shopping and other comps if your past play warrants the comps. You may be able to squeeze out a bit more out of a host vs. received offers, but most players are better off claiming offers for places they like to stay at and ask for a back end comp or use earned points to comp at the end of the trip. You'll do better in the long net net (gambling expense and RFB+ expense) without any pressure (perceived or actual) regarding your level of play.

Great post LAV - all good advice. In my experience, a host will HUNT you down and sometimes bug you to death if your play warrants their attention.

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I disagree.
Some people are right on that cusp of warranting a host or not, so a host may not seek you out.
It's thinking like that, that makes people think only high rollers have hosts, and that just isn't true.

Several years ago, I asked to meet a host, and I met my present host at Paris, and we have become friends. When we met, she looked at my play and I told her before she said a word, that I knew what I was, that I know what I am, and that is a solid low/mid-roller. Yes, I was Diamond, and yes, I would make Diamond in 3-4 trips in a year. Told her I had no wild expectations, no expectations of suites, jets, meet and greets or $1000 dinners, I just was looking for a host to work with directly and grow my play and in turn, my experiences with CET.
Made it clear from the beginning who and what I believed myself to be and that I had reasonable expectations, and we have been working together ever since.

Point is, up until that time, I had no host nor was I ever approached by one, so if you are right on that edge, sometimes you need to make the first move to meet a host, but make sure you know your place and ask your newfound host what expectations are to be met for receiving certain comps or benefits.

I disagree.
Some people are right on that cusp of warranting a host or not, so a host may not seek you out.

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@engicedave - ok, if that works for you. I did say "In my experience". Really can't speak to anything else with authority. I don't get the big deal over having a "host" anyway. Yes, they can be helpful and expedite some things, but along with that they can be pests. But I'm pretty low maintenance, so again, that's jmho.

I disagree.
Some people are right on that cusp of warranting a host or not, so a host may not seek you out.
It's thinking like that, that makes people think only high rollers have hosts, and that just isn't true.

Several years ago, I asked to meet a host, and I met my present host at Paris, and we have become friends. When we met, she looked at my play and I told her before she said a word, that I knew what I was, that I know what I am, and that is a solid low/mid-roller. Yes, I was Diamond, and yes, I would make Diamond in 3-4 trips in a year. Told her I had no wild expectations, no expectations of suites, jets, meet and greets or $1000 dinners, I just was looking for a host to work with directly and grow my play and in turn, my experiences with CET.
Made it clear from the beginning who and what I believed myself to be and that I had reasonable expectations, and we have been working together ever since.

Point is, up until that time, I had no host nor was I ever approached by one, so if you are right on that edge, sometimes you need to make the first move to meet a host, but make sure you know your place and ask your newfound host what expectations are to be met for receiving certain comps or benefits.

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I agree, there are certain personal touches that a mailer can't do. An example of this is when our host sent up a bottle of champaign and chocolate strawberries along with a card congratulating on our new child. My wife and I were very impressed. Our host never sets expectations and is always willing to cover additional days and expenses after evaluating our play. We were former MGM players and never received the personal touches as the WYNN was able to provide.